There was once a poor but kind-hearted woodcutter named Thomas and his son Peter who lived in a peaceful village at the edge of a huge, whispering forest. Their house was small—a one-room cabin with a thatched roof and a fireplace that didn’t always work—but it was full of love and laughter. Even though they didn’t have much, they found happiness in the little things in life, like the sound of birds chirping in the morning, the sound of leaves rustling in the wind, and the stories they told by the fire.
Peter was a curious youngster who always wanted to know more and looked at the world around him with wide eyes. He would often sit under the old trees and watch the wind blow through the branches, wondering what secrets the forest might store. Even though his father was tired from cutting wood all day, he would grin and remark, “Kindness and bravery will get you farther than gold ever could.”
A Weird Find
The smell of wet dirt and pine needles filled the air one morning after a night of heavy rain. Peter went into the woods with his dad to get fallen branches to use as firewood. Peter walked ahead as they went deeper, looking for intriguing things on the forest floor.
He saw something strange behind the twisted roots of an old oak tree: a tall, narrow bottle that was dark green with age and covered in mud and moss. Peter was interested and dug it up carefully. He could feel the warmth of the bottle in his palms, and odd marks spiralled around the glass. He pulled out the cork without thinking.
The sky seemed to get darker in an instant. A huge cloud of smoke exploded from the bottle and swirled up like a storm, blowing his hair back with a strong gust of wind. The vapour twisted into arms, a face, and bright eyes. Then, all of a sudden, a huge ghost stood in front of him.
“Finally, I’m free!” It roared and stretched like it was waking up after a long sleep. “I’ve been stuck in that prison for a thousand years, and now I’ll get my revenge!”
Peter’s heart raced, but he didn’t move. “Please don’t trap me,” he pleaded, his voice shaking. “I just found the bottle.” I didn’t mean to hurt you.
The spirit squinted its eyes. “Well. You talk honestly. That’s not common. I will give you a chance, but it will be hard. If you succeed, you’ll get three wishes. If you fail, I’ll take you with me into the dark.
Peter swallowed his dread and said yes. “What do I need to do?”
The spirit gave him a small, fragile jug. Fill this with water from the river’, it stated, ‘but not a single drop must fall’.
Help in the Woods
Peter held on tight to the jug as he walked towards the water. After the storm, the water flowed over the rocks quickly and loudly. He bent down, but his hands shook. He panicked and spilt a few drips as soon as the jug reached the water.
He sat down on a nearby stone, feeling sad. He said softly, “How can I do this?” “I’ll never get it right.”
Then he heard something moving in the bushes. A thin red fox stepped out, its eyes piercing and full of knowledge.
The fox said, “You look upset,” and its tail flicked. “Are you trying to figure out the spirit’s riddle?”
Peter nodded. “I need to fill this jug without spilling a single drop.”
The fox turned its head. “I’ll help you if you promise to help me when I ask.”
Peter considered for a bit and then said yes. “Yes. I promise.”
The fox ran to a tree nearby, picked a big, wide leaf, and carefully put it over the opening of the jug.
“Now, slowly fill it.” The leaves will keep the water from moving about.
Peter did what the fox told him to do. He carefully dipped the jug into the stream, and when he pulled it out, it was full and not a single drop had spilt.
He smiled. “Thanks.”
The Three Wishes
Peter went back to the clearing and held out the full jug. The spirit looked inside, shocked.
It continued, “You did it,” this time in a softer voice. “You are smarter and braver than most.”
The spirit raised its arms, just like it said it would. “You can now make three wishes.”
Peter thought long and hard.
“I want my family to never be poor again for my first wish,” he remarked.
A big chest full of gold cash and diamonds suddenly materialised at Peter’s feet.
“For my second wish, I want to be wise enough to help others.”
A pleasant light wrapped over his heart and head. Ideas and thoughts came to me much more effortlessly. Peter felt more aware—more intelligent, more peaceful, and more kind.
“For my last wish…” Peter stopped and stared at the spirit. “I want you to be free and never hurt anyone again.”
The spirit’s luminous eyes got bigger in shock. It muttered, “No one has ever wanted me.” Its smokey shape sparkled and then started to fade. “You’ve set me free, not just from the bottle, but from my anger.” Thanks.
And with a sigh like the wind through the trees, the spirit left, leaving behind serenity.
A Promise Fulfilled
Peter took the gold home with him. His dad gasped and held him tightly. They used the treasure to fix up their hut, buy warm clothes, and make sure every family in the village had enough food and wood for the fire.
But Peter kept his word.
He went back to the woods and saw the fox beside the river.
Peter said, “I’m ready to help.”
The fox shook its head. “My family lives deep in the woods, where food is hard to find and there aren’t many places to stay. We need a place to live that is safe.
With his new money and knowledge, Peter made a quiet place to live in a secret glade. He planted fruit trees, dug a pool that was fed by a spring, and made cosy homes for the fox’s family. There were birds. Bees buzzed. The woods got lighter.
The fox blinked in thanks. “You did what you said you would do. And now I will keep my word. My family will always protect this forest.
Peter grew up, but he never stopped assisting, learning, and exploring. People all around the world knew his name, but not because he was rich. They knew him as a kind, brave, and smart guy.
And in the middle of the woods, where the trees talk to one other and foxes still scamper through the glade, his narrative lives on.
The end.
